First fruit of welcome change

IT will depend much upon the willingness or otherwise of the Government to profit by advice and criticism whether the change in the procedure regarding budget discussion inaugurated this year is to prove beneficial, and that so far there is no indication of a substantial change in the Government’s outlook. It cannot be denied that some slight change is visible. Hitherto resolutions regarding the budget had been unceremoniously rejected. This year two resolutions were moved by Mr. Sharma, and though neither of them was accepted, Sir William Meyer gave a sympathetic assurance to both. By the first the Hon. mover asked for recurring grant of 30  lakhs in aid of technical education. Sir Meyer said he had sympathy with the resolution, and though he could not accept it, he would, provided the final figures allowed him to do so, provide 30 lakhs as special reserve for farm and technical education, but it would depend on revised estimates of the budget.